Figure 1.--Pupils at New Zealand schools often receive much needed individual attention. This is often true in some of the non-academic subjects. |
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And of course the teachers. It is the teachers in the final analysis that determine the success or failure of any school. We all remember some of our teachers, usually the best ones and the worst ones. Some made indelible impressions on us, forming our characters in ways we often do not even preceive. Others are long since forgotten. Here we have some comments by the students About their teachers as well as some basic information about teaching in New Zealand.
Children love to complain about their teachers and poke a little cheeky fun. Most of course have quite positice relations with their teachers, especially in primary school. The relationship becomes some what more contentious as the children get older and more asertive. But even in secondary school, most of the students get on well with their teachers. This of course does not prevent a little healthy teasing.
An analysis in The Star (1 May 1990) shows that more than 30 percent of business executives surveyed earned ober $100,000 per year and had other fringe benefits such as company cars. They can look at those of their colleagues who chose to be teachers; took five years to gain qualifications; entered a vocation which surveys show they would be expected to work 60-80 hours per week; would (according to studies carried out at Massey University and elsewhere) be subject to more health-injuring stress that most other jobs; and might reach the top of the tree with responsibility for 2000 students and 120 staff -- to earn about half the salary of an average higher executive in business.
Graeme Ash, "The school we magnify," (1991). Christchurch Boys' High School
Teaching is the second most private activity in the world and when the classroom door is closed the teacher is the final determinant of educational policy as well as practice.
Dr. Robert Fortenberry
I think we are all demanding the impossible from those hardworking, loyal and heroic people.
Governor-General Lord Cobham
